How did pagans under idolatry view the marriage relationship?
In paganism under idolatry, the marriage relationship did not amount to much. It was just a place to propagate the family, and the pagans knew nothing of moral integrity or fidelity in marriage. So they viewed it primarily as a means of producing children, not as a morally binding union.
Les explains that the Corinthian believers had come out of an immoral, idolatrous background, and they were confused about marriage now that it was Biblical compared to paganism. In paganism under idolatry, marriage didn't amount to much; it was simply a place to propagate the family. The pagans knew nothing of moral integrity or fidelity in the marriage relationship. Because of that background, they were going off the deep end, asking whether it was right to marry. Paul clarified that "it is good for a man not to touch a woman" did not mean people should not marry, but that believers must be careful in their physical contact with the opposite sex, not exciting the sexual senses.